The Principal Poisons

Mineral Poisons. Acetic Acid

Symptoms Of Poisoning

Treatment

Take immediately several spoonfuls of Magnesia, mixed in water; if Magnesia is not at hand, drink plentifully of a mixture of soap and water. Afterwards empty the stomach by means of an Emetic of Ipecacuanha or mustard and water.

Ammonia, Hartshorn, Smelling Salts

Symptoms Of Poisoning

Excoriation of the mouth and throat; sensation of burning in the throat, chest, and stomach; followed by vomiting and purging, the ejected matter being mixed with blood. When the dose is large the immediate feeling is that of strangulation, and, if not instantly relieved, fatal results are likely to follow.

Treatment

Drink, as quickly as possible, quantities of vinegar or lemon juice, mixed with equal quantities of water. Afterwards take plenty of milk, gruel, or starch and water. Symptoms of Inflammation must afterwards be treated in the usual way.

Aqua Fortis (Nitric Acid.)

Symptoms Of Poisoning

Sensation of burning in the throat and. stomach, if the acid is strong and the dose large. If the acid is weaker, the patient may linger for some time, in great pain with vomiting of foetid matter, and great constipation of the bowels.

Treatment

Take large quantities of soap and water, or a mixture of Calcined Magnesia, or Chalk or Whiting in water or milk or gruel. Afterwards produce vomiting by drinking plentifully of warm water.

Arsenic

Symptoms Of Poisoning

A metallic taste in the mouth; constant spitting of saliva; sensation of tightness in the throat: nausea and vomiting, sometimes of a brown mucous matter, which is occasionally mixed with blood; fainting, with excessive thirst; a sensation of great heat in the throat and stomach, frequent vomit-ting; severe griping and purging, the stools being deep green or black, and horribly offensive; the urine scanty, red, and often bloody; the pulse small, frequent, and often intermitting, accompanied by palpitation of the heart and fainting, difficult respiration and cold sweats, swelling and itching of the whole body, which sometimes becomes covered with livid blotches; great prostration of strength; paralysis of the feet and bands; delirium, convulsions and death.

Treatment

The stomach should be emptied as quickly as possible. If a stomach pump is not to be had at once, the patient should take from one to two teaspoonfuls of mustard in a glass of water, at short intervals, till the stomach is clear. Magnesia has been found an antidote to Arsenic. Pure Magnesia, slightly calcined (that is, made red hot) is capable of absorbing Arsenic in solution and forming with it a compound, insoluble even in boiling water; therefore if Magnesia can be obtained it should be given at once. Then take large draughts of Oil, and of warm mucilaginous drinks, such as gruel, starch water, linseed tea, or milk. Sugar and water, or chalk and water may also be taken. Oxyde of Iron has been supposed by some to be an antidote to Arsenic, but its operation is doubtful. Castor Oil and other laxatives may be afterwards employed.

Baryta (Muriate Or Chloride.)

Symptoms Of Poisoning

Violent vomiting, accompanied by excruciating, burning pains of the stomach and bowels; headache, giddiness, stupor, paralysis of the lower extremities, convulsions and death.

Treatment

Administer speedily some Epsom Salts or Glauber Salts, dissolved in water, which immediately converts the poison into the insoluble Sulphate of Baryta, which is quite harmless.

Caustic Lunar (Nitrate Of Silver.)

Symptoms Of Poisoning

An acrid, styptic, metallic taste, with a sensation of fulness and burning in the throat; great anxiety; great pains in the stomach and intestines; frequent vomiting; pulse small, quick and hard; respiration much embarrassed, cold sweats, cramps of the members, convulsions and death.

Treatment

Take instantly, a strong solution of common Salt, which will form in the stomach an irisoluble Chloride of Silver, which is harmless. Afterwards empty the stomach by an emetic. Afterwards soothe the stomach with gruel, or thin starch.

Carbonic Acid Cas

Symptoms Of Poisoning

This gas, which is produced in burning charcoal or wood, is very dangerous in close rooms. As it is very heavy, it remains in fermenting vats and beer cellars long after the liquor has been drawn off or removed, and many persons have lost their lives in consequence. Drowsiness first comes on, followed by difficulty of respiration and suffocation. The features appear swelled and the face bluish, as in cases of strangulation.

Treatment

Remove the patient into the open air and, place him on his back, with his head elevated; dash cold water over the body. Apply friction, particularly over the chest, and on the soles of the feet. Hartshorn may be applied cautiously to the nostrils. As soon as the patient can swallow, stimulants should be administered.

Chloroform

Symptoms Of Poisoning

The rapid production of insensibility; relaxation of the muscles; slow and often stertorous breathing; upturning of the eyes; and total insensibility. Sometimes frothing at the mouth takes place; and more rarely, convulsive twitchings of the face and limbs. If too much is inhaled, death is produced. According to Mr. Skey, Chloroform had been administered up to 1854, in 9000 cases in St. Bartholomew's Hospital, without a single accident. On the other hand, the late Dr. Warren of Boston, published, in 1849, the details of ten cases, in which death was caused by it, and all within a year.

Treatment

Place the patient in a horizontal posture; fan the face with cold air; pour cold water over the head; mustard plais-ters to the feet, frictions and heat to the body and the extremities, and Ammonia to the nostrils. If respiration ceases, the tongue should be seized and pulled forwards, so as to prevent suffocation, and artificial respiration attempted.

When the patient can swallow, strong coffee may be given with advantage.